Perfluorocarbon-polyepinephrine core-shell nanoparticles as a near-infrared light activatable theranostic platform for bimodal imaging-guided photothermal/chemodynamic synergistic cancer therapy.

Activatable multifunctional nanoparticles present considerable advantages in cancer treatment by integrating both diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities into a single platform. These nanoparticles can be precisely engineered to selectively target cancer cells, thereby reducing the risk of damage to healthy tissues. Once localized at the target site, they can be activated by external stimuli such as light, pH changes, or specific enzymes, enabling precise control over the release of therapeutic agents or the initiation of therapeutic effects.

Lignin phenolation by graft copolymerization to boost its reactivity.

Lignin is the most abundant phenolic biopolymer and a renewable resource of aromatics. It can be used as a phenol substitute in the synthesis of phenolic resins. However, lignin is not as reactive as phenol, so phenolation is generally carried out to improve lignin reactivity.

Ferritin-nanocaged copper arsenite minerals with oxidative stress-amplifying activity for targeted cancer therapy.

We report copper(II) arsenite-encapsulated ferritin nanoparticles (CuAS-FNs) as oxidative stress-amplifying anticancer agents. The CuAS-FNs were fabricated through CuAS mineralization in the cavity of the FNs. The formation of crystalline CuAS complex minerals in the FNs was systematically identified using various analytical tools, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)-associated energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDS).

Multifunctional bone substitute using carbon dot and 3D printed calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite scaffolds for osteoclast inhibition and fluorescence imaging.

Multifunctional bone substitute materials (BSM) have gained considerable attention with the exponential increase in aging populations. The development of hybrid materials for diagnosis and therapy of bone-related diseases and dysfunctions, especially, has been a significant challenge in the biological and the biomedical field, due to the shortage of agents with specificity and selectivity toward bone. In this study, a hybrid material, referred as Alen-CDs@CDHA, fabricated from alendronate-conjugated carbon dots (Alen-CDs) and calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA, the mineral component of bones) scaffolds is offered as a novel multifunctional BSM for in vivo osteoclasts deactivation and fluorescence imaging.

MnCO-mineralized polydopamine nanoparticles as an activatable theranostic agent for dual-modality imaging-guided photothermal therapy of cancers.

Single imaging modality is still insufficient to evaluate the biological and anatomical structures of tumors with high accuracy and reliability. Generation of non-specific contrast, leading to a low target-to-background signal ratio, results in low imaging resolution and accuracy. Tumor environment-specific activatable multifunctional contrast agents need to maximize the contrast signals, representing a dual imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) at target tumor sites.

Effect of locally delivered protein complex-loaded nanoparticles on bone remodelling of atrophic alveolar ridge in beagles.

Objective: To investigate the effect of local injection of mineralized hybrid nanoparticles loading dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) complex (P-NPs) on the bone remodelling on atrophic alveolar ridges (AAR) ahead of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM).

Settings And Sample Population: Four beagles were randomly allocated into Group C (OTM only) and Group NP (OTM with P-NPs injection). Experimental model of AAR was prepared in 8 mandibular quadrants after extraction of the third premolars (n = 4 per Group).

Injectable hydrogel derived from chitosan with tunable mechanical properties via hybrid-crosslinking system.

Thermo-sensitive injectable hydrogels that spontaneously react to physiological temperature have been widely studied to be used in biomedical fields. However, several challenges on their unstable structures with large-sized pores and low mechanical strength under physiological conditions must be addressed to enable their practical applications. We synthesized the hydroxybutyl methacrylated chitosan (HBC-MA) hydrogel that possesses both thermo-sensitive and photo-crosslinkable properties.

Supplement of nitric oxide through calcium carbonate-based nanoparticles contributes osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.

This study investigated the delivery of S-nitrosothiol (GSNO) as a nitric oxide (NO) donor loaded into calcium carbonate-based mineralized nanoparticles (GSNO-MNPs) to regulate cell signaling pathways for the osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). GSNO-MNPs were prepared by an anionic block copolymer template-mediated calcium carbonate (CaCO) mineralization process in the presence of GSNO. GSNO-MNPs were spherical and had a narrow size distribution.

Physical and Chemical Factors Influencing the Printability of Hydrogel-based Extrusion Bioinks.

Bioprinting researchers agree that "printability" is a key characteristic for bioink development, but neither the meaning of the term nor the best way to experimentally measure it has been established. Furthermore, little is known with respect to the underlying mechanisms which determine a bioink's printability. A thorough understanding of these mechanisms is key to the intentional design of new bioinks.

Optimization of Extraction Conditions of Continentalic and Kaurenoic Acids from Aralia continentalis by HPLC/UV and Their Validation.

Aralia continentalis (AC) is a perennial herb that has long been used as a traditional medicine for many diseases. Continentalic acid (CA) and kaurenoic acid (KA) are major diterpenoids in AC, which are known to exert various pharmacological activities. This study focuses on the optimization of the extraction of CA and KA from dried AC roots by evaluating the influence of different extraction conditions on their yield.

Preparation and Application of Light-Colored Lignin Nanoparticles for Broad-Spectrum Sunscreens.

Recently, natural sun blockers have been drawing considerable attention because synthetic UV filters could have adverse effects not only on humans but also on the environment. Even though lignin, the second most abundant renewable resource on earth, is a natural UV-absorbing polymer, its unfavorable dark color hampers its applications in sunscreens. In this work, we obtained light-colored lignin (CEL) from rice husks through cellulolytic enzyme treatment and subsequent solvent extraction under mild conditions and compared CEL to technical lignin from rice husks using the International Commission on Illumination *** (CIELAB) color space.

Chemical Regeneration of Wound Defects: Relevance to the Canine Palatal Mucosa and Cell Cycle Up-Regulation in Human Gingival Fibroblasts.

Background: Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is an agent widely applied in dermatology for skin regeneration. To test whether TCA can offer an advantage for the regeneration of oral soft tissue defects, the cellular events following TCA application were explored and its influence on the oral soft tissue wound healing was evaluated in a canine palate model.

Methods: The cytotoxicity and growth factor gene expression in human gingival fibroblasts were tested following the application of TCA at four concentrations (0.

Nanogels Derived from Fish Gelatin: Application to Drug Delivery System.

The gelatin extracted from mammals of porcine and bovine has been prominently used in pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetic products. However, there have been some concerns for their usage due to religious, social and cultural objections, and animal-to-human infectious disease. Recently, gelatin from marine by-products has received growing attention as an alternative to mammalian gelatin.

The ethanolic extract of Aralia continentalis ameliorates cognitive deficits via modifications of BDNF expression and anti-inflammatory effects in a rat model of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disease associated with that the experience of traumatic stress. The traumatic experience results in the development of a prolonged stress response that causes impaired memory function and increased inflammation in the hippocampus. Currently, antidepressants are the only approved therapy for PTSD.

The Effect of Fibronectin-Immobilized Microgrooved Titanium Substrata on Cell Proliferation and Expression of Genes and Proteins in Human Gingival Fibroblasts.

Background: We aimed to determine the effect of fibronectin (FN)-immobilized microgrooved titanium (Ti) on human gingival fibroblast proliferation, gene expression and protein expression.

Methods: Photolithography was used to fabricate the microgrooved Ti, and amine funtionalization (silanization) was used for FN immobilization on titanium surfaces. Cell proliferation, gene expression and protein expression were analyzed, followed by multiple regression analysis for determining the influential factors on cell proliferation.

Osteogenic Effect of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS)-Loaded Mineralized Nanoparticles on Embryonic Stem Cells.

Background/aims: This study investigated the effect of inducible nitric oxide synthase-loaded mineralized nanoparticles (iNOS-MNPs) on the osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs).

Methods: We prepared iNOS-MNPs using an anionic block copolymer template-mediated calcium carbonate (CaCO3) mineralization process in the presence of iNOS. iNOS-MNPs were spherical and had a narrow size distribution.

Lignin for white natural sunscreens.

Long-time exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation is harmful and causes various skin problems. Natural sun blockers have been drawing considerable attention recently. Even though lignin, an abundant aromatic polymer from plants, is a natural UV screening agent, its unfavorable dark color hinders its high value-added applications in sunscreens and cosmetics.

Biomineralized hybrid nanoparticles for imaging and therapy of cancers.

In this review, we describe the research trends of hybrid nanocarriers developed based on a biomimetic mineralization process, and their recent applications in imaging and therapy of cancers. Organic-inorganic hybrid nanostructures formed by diverse biomimetic mineralization approaches are briefly reviewed, and particularly, the biomedical applications of these hybrid nanocarriers for the diagnosis and therapy of cancers are discussed. Biomineralization is an important process in which living organisms produce biominerals, such as calcium phosphate (CaP), calcium carbonate (CaCO), and silica (SiO), to strengthen their tissues, as found in the formation of bone and teeth.

Intracellular NO-Releasing Hyaluronic Acid-Based Nanocarriers: A Potential Chemosensitizing Agent for Cancer Chemotherapy.

In this work, we investigate whether S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO)-conjugated hyaluronic acid-based self-assembled nanoparticles (GSNO-HANPs) can be useful as a chemosensitizing agent to improve the anticancer activity of doxorubicin (DOX). The GSNO-HANPs were prepared by aqueous assembly of GSNO-conjugated HA with grafted poly(lactide- co-glycolide). Aqueous GSNO stability shielded within the assembled environments of the GSNO-HANPs was greatly enhanced, compared to that of free GSNO.

Beneficial effects of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii on menopausal symptoms in ovariectomized rats.

In women, menopause refers to a series of physiological and mental symptoms of distress that result from a decrease in 17β-estradiol. In addition to the loss of fertility, the symptoms include facial flushing, depression, osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, and genitourinary atrophy. Cirsium japonicum var.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of the ethanolic extract of Aralia continentalis Kitag. in IL-1β-stimulated human fibroblast-like synoviocytes and rodent models of polyarthritis and nociception.

Background: Blocking the formation and invasive growth of pannus and its secretion of inflammatory cytokines and MMPs is important for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Hypothesis/purpose: Anti-arthritic activity of Aralia continentalis Kitag., an oriental herbal medicine, and the underlying mechanisms involved were investigated.

The Anti-Stress Effect of Mentha arvensis in Immobilized Rats.

Stress can lead to inflammation, accelerated aging, and some chronic diseases condition. (MA) is a traditional medicine having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study investigated the anti-stress role of MA and fermented MA (FMA) extract in immobilized rats.

Beneficial effects of a medicinal herb, Cirsium japonicum var. maackii, extract and its major component, cirsimaritin on breast cancer metastasis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

The biological activities of the ethanol extract from Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (ICF-1) and its major component, polyphenol cirsimaritin, were investigated as part of the search for possible alternative drugs for breast cancer. Three in vitro cell-based assays were used: the cell proliferation assay, tube-formation assay, and Western blot analysis.